The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) posted a 138-point loss, after falling 297 points earlier. All but one of the 30 Dow components were in the red. The S&P 500 (SPX) fell 15 points and the Nasdaq (COMP) dropped 34 points.

A somewhat positive statement from the Federal Reserve, which would typically garner attention, failed to sway investors significantly in the afternoon.

"Everybody's looking at Japan over the Fed," said Phil Streible, a senior market strategist with Lind-Waldock. "People are scrambling and trying to figure out the specific impact of Japan's problems."

The Fed made no mention of the events in Japan. Markets are reeling from the staggering human and economic toll from Japan's 9.0-measure earthquake and subsequent tsunami last Friday, which killed at least 3,373 people.

Ahead of the opening bell, steep losses in world markets triggered the New York Stock Exchange to invoke Rule 48 -- which gives the exchange the right to pause trading in the event of exteme volatility.

In Buffalo, New York, the city is selling vacant homes for a $1 to those who are willing to fix them up and live in them for a few years. But as many buyers soon find out, the cost to renovate these super cheap properties can quickly add up. More